Interlocking bar allowing operation of one switch assembly in a plural column, row matrix switch assembly

ABSTRACT

An interlocking pushbutton key switch is disclosed in which the interlocking slide bar has a lipped, toothed extension which engages in a rotatably mounted, coupling plate. Other rows of pushbuttons are constructed to operate similarly. Thus the operation of one button in any row interlocks with all other pushbuttons on the pushbutton key switch assembly.

United States Patent 200/5 EA, 5 EB, 50 C, 168 R, 168 K, 169 R, 169 PB, 321, 322, 293, 18

Kunimine Dec. 16, 1975 INTERLOCKING BAR ALLOWING [56] References Cited OPERATION OF ONE SWITCH ASSEMBLY UNITED STATES PATENTS IN A PLURAL COLUMN ROW MATRIX 2,932,816 4/1960 stiefel et a1. 200/5 E UX SWITCH ASSEMBLY 3,271,530 9/1966 Wirsching 200/5 EA Inventor; I530 Kunimine Kawasaki Ja 3,358,090 12/1967 Smith 2.00/5 B 3,646,283 2/1972 Hansen 200/5 EB [731 Assignees: Nippon Tsu Shin Kogyo K.K., 3,678,288 7/1972 Swanke et a1 200/5 R X Kanagawa, Japan; 3,706,863 12/1972 Britton et a1. 200/5 E X TIE/communications, Inc 3,719,786 3/1973 Mallett et a]. 200/5 EB St f d (30m 3,778,564 12/1973 NOCeIIa 200/5 R [22] Ffled: 1973 Primary ExaminerJames R. Scott [21] Appl. No.: 341,200 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Kenyon & Kenyon [30] Foreign Application Priority Data [57] ABSTRACT Jan. 31, 1973 Japan 48-12877 An interlocking pushb tton key witch is disclosed in which the inter1ocking slide bar has a lipped, toothed CL 200/5 200/5 extension which engages in a rotatably mounted, cou- 200/50 C pling plate. Other rows of pushbuttons are constructed [5 Illlt. Cl to perate Thus the peration of ne button 1 Fleld 0f Search ZOO/1 5 5 5 in any row interlocks with all other pushbuttons on the pushbutton key switch assembly.

1 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent DeC. 16,1975 Sheet 1012 3,927,283

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r-lr'lnr'lnnnn II II Tl II II II II I U.S. Patent Dec. 16, 1975 Sheet 2 0f 2 W! MW INTERLOCKING BAR ALLOWING: OPERATION OF ONE SWITCH ASSEMBLY IN A PLURAL COLUMN, ROW, MATRIX, SWITCH ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND oE THE INVENTION The present invention relates tothe. construction of interlocking pushbutton key switches for use in, for expl .k y t p s. Y

, In key telephones using plural telephone line circuits, interlocking pushbutton key; switches are required to permit selection of the telephone circuit sconnected to the key telephone set. Ordinarily key telephones are divided into different models depending on the number of telephone circuits that may be selected by the phone, such as sets using 6 or circuits. The type of pushbutton key switch assembly furnished with each set therefore have different measurements corresponding thereto. Further, the pushbutton keys used in key telephone sets must be interlocking, (that is, when a certain key is locked and any other key is pushed, the locked key must release and return to its original position), but as the number of keys increase in key telephone sets to, for example, circuits, the buttons must be arranged in either two rows of ten buttons each or three rows of seven each. The interlocking slide bar for prior art pushbutton key switches for telephones where multiple key rows are used, have a single integrated interlocking slide bar designed specifically for the desired number of rows. The key switch of the present invention performs all the required functions of interlocking pushbutton keys, but is not limited to a specific number of rows like conventional types found in the prior sets. Instead, by the present invention, the key switch rows may be assembled either singly or jointly by a very simple operation. The keys were devised to simplify assembly work and make the mounting of the keys easier.

In summary, the invention permits interlocking of a plurality of pushbutton rows by providing a toothed extension of an interlocking slide bar which engages in a hinged mounted, coupling plate. Because the other rows on the pushbutton assembly are similarly constructed and connected to the rotatably mounted, coupling plate, the horizontal interlocking movement of one interlocking bar as a key is depressed moves the slide bars of all other rows of keys connected to the coupling plate a substantially equal amount; thereby interlocking all the rows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention, as well as its features and objects, will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the prior art system of pushbutton keys;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a 16 pushbutton key assembly constructed according to this invention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a 24 pushbutton key assembly constructed according to this invention;

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway side view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is an exploded, partial isometric view.

FIG. 6 is an exploded, partial isometric view of a 16 pushbutton key assembly showing the function of two 77 ofFIG. 2 showing theoperation of the keys 1 in 5 each module. 9

EMBODIMENT Asshown in FIGS. 2 5, in a row of pushbutton keys 1 each key mutually interlocks by conventional means, additionally one end of horizontally movable, interlocking plate 10 has a lip or hooked extension 11. In the lip 11 a small cut out permits interlocking between the rows of pushbntto ns. Mounting frame 2 is designed for mounting a plurality of pushbutton key rows 1. The printed circuit board connector 3 is affixed to mounting frame 2 by mounting plate 4. Printed circuit board 5 connects the circuits of slide switch contacts 1c of pushbutton keys switch 1 to the contacts 5a inserted in printed circuit connector 3. A coupling plate 6, having an opening 6a, is used to interlock the pushbutton keys switch rows 1 for multiple mounting. Shaft 7 is used to hinge coupling plate 6 on mounting frame 2.

In the operation of a pushbutton key system having two rows of eight pushbutton keys 1, (FIG. 2) contacts 5a of printed circuit board 5, (FIG. 4) connect with printed circuit connector 3 installed in mounting frame 2 on which coupling plate 6 and printed circuit connector 3 were previously fastened. At the same time the downward lip or hook I 1 of pushbutton key switch row 1 slides into hole 6a of coupling plate 6. The second row of pushbutton keys is identical in construction and mounting. In this manner, interlocking slide bars 1a for each row of pushbutton keys 1 are coupled by the freely rotatable coupling plate 6 to thereby perform the identical function to that of the single piece interlocking slide bars. That is, when interlocking bar 111 of the first row of pushbutton keys 1 is moved horizontally 1.5 mm, coupling plate 6 swings in the same horizontal direction as interlocking bar la and also moves 1.5 mm. By this step, the interlocking bar 1a in the second row, because it also is connected to coupling plate 6, also moves 1.5 mm in the same manner. Interlocking is thereby accomplished between each row. Employing the interlocking mechanism described above, it is possible to assemble interlocking pushbutton key switches for use in a key telephone set for 24 circuits as shown in FIG. 3, by simply supplementing the two rows with a third row of pushbutton keys 1 of identical construction. By this invention, it is therefore possible to easily obtain interlocking pushbutton key assemblies for use in key telephone sets having different numbers of lines by increasing or decreasing the number of rows. This ofiers the possibility of standardizing the construction and assembly of the key telephone pushbutton switches. Furthermore, since a single row of pushbutton keys is not connected directly to wiring leads, it is easy to install or remove keys. Therefore, the present device has advantages such as simplicity of assembly, ease of mounting and great practical utility.

It is to be understood that the embodiment of this invention described herein is merely intended to illustrate the operative principles of the invention and is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. Modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An interlocking pushbutton key switch mechanism for a key telephone comprising a box shaped mounting frame; a plurality of switch modules mounted on" said frame each module having a plurality of pushbutton keys and associated switching means including printed circuit board means mounted to each of said modules, and said frame;

a horizontally movable interlocking lower bar mounted in each said module and connected to each row of keys;

said interlocking bars being movable in a horizontal direction upon depressing one of said keys in each of said rows, said interlocking bar having a notched portion on one end thereof; and

a rotatably mounted rectangular coupling plate pivotally mounted atone end to said frame and being substantially perpendicular to the interlocking bars, said coupling plate having an openingiat the other end of said plate, on a portion of said plate projecting out from the coupling plate at a distance below the pivot point of the coupling plate and in juxtaposition to the notched portion of said bars, for engaging the notched portion of each of said interlocking bars so that horizontal movement of one of said bars pivots said coupling plate and causes interlocking horizontal movement of all other rows of keys in substantially the same manner to thereby interlock all the rows of keys. 

1. An interlocking pushbutton key switch mechanism for a key telephone comprising a box shaped mounting frame; a plurality of switch modules mounted on said frame each module having a plurality of pushbutton keys and associated switching means including printed circuit board means mounted to each of said modules, and said frame; a horizontally movable interlocking lower bar mounted in each said module and connected to each row of keys; said interlocking bars being movable in a horizontal direction upon depressing one of said keys in each of said rows, said interlocking bar having a notched portion on one end thereof; and a rotatably mounted rectangular coupling plate pivotally mounted at one end to said frame and being substantially perpendicular to the interlocking bars, said coupling plate having an opening at the other end of said plate, on a portion of said plate projecting out from the coupling plate at a distance below the pivot point of the coupling plate and in juxtaposition to the notched portion of said bars, for engaging the notched portion of each of said interlocking bars so that horizontal movement of one of said bars pivots said coupling plate and causes interlocking horizontal movement of all other rows of keys in substantially the same manner to thereby interlock all the rows of keys. 